Each year ARVAC Inc. Executive Director and a representative of the Governing Board of Directors attend the National Community Action Foundation conference in Washington DC. This conference offers several workshops on maximizing the effectiveness of local Community Action Agencies, but also offers the opportunity to interact with Congressmen and Senators who represent each Community Action service area across the nation.

There is current legislation pending before these representatives that would protect community action funding from pending budget cuts and their support is vital to the efforts of these organizations, making these Capitol Hill visits crucial for the future of local Community Action Agencies such as ARVAC. These visits included Congressmen Tom Cotton, Congressman Steve Womack, Senator John Boozman and Senator Mark Pryor. Each of these representatives was invited to tour one of ARVAC’s local programs, Freedom House Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center.

Congressman Womack was the first to accept the invitation to tour ARVAC Freedom House in April. Congressman Womack toured ARVAC Freedom House facilities all while visiting with ARVAC staff and clients. Womack seemed uplifted and inspired by each and every success story and offered several insights and suggestions. Womack was particularly inspired by CFLC resident and local veteran Richard Nearhood. Richard shared his road to recovery and his battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and stating that their were times that he didn’t feel as though he had the courage to continue fighting the battle of addiction. Womack quickly cut him off with his finger pointed saying “no you had courage because if you didn’t you wouldn’t have come here” (referring to ARVAC Freedom House alcohol and drug abuse treatment center).

Before leaving, Womack gave Richard a brass coin with his slogan “Lead by example, lead from the front” to commemorate and remind Richard of the courage he holds. Womack stated that Richard was a success story and a positive example of what can come from rehabilitation. Congressman Womack’s visit ended with the raising of the American Flag and a moment of silence for all those who have lost their life fighting addiction.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with Alcohol or Drug addictions please contact Freedom House at (479) 968-7086 or stop by at 400 Lake Front Drive in Russellville.